Controller

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49703

We’re partnering with a CFO we’ve known for years who has been with the business for almost a decade and built the team from scratch. They are now at a point where they’ve stabilized the business and are investing in a Controller (newly created) to take over the team he has built and lead the entire accounting function. This role is best for someone looking for a long term home with a strong team in place. No need to ‘put out fires’ and be a technical accounting expert as this is an operational accounting leadership role.  

Details:

  • Stable, US subsidiary of a global public company
  • Ownership of all day-to-day Operational Accounting
  • Managing a team of 15 and reporting directly to the CFO
  • Great work/life balance – the company and team are stable, so no need to ‘put out fires’
  • Competitive base comp, bonus, and 401K
  • Located onsite in NW suburbs

Ideal Candidate:

  • 10-15+ years accounting experience with at least 2 years of Management experience
  • Retail or multi-site manufacturing experience with strong inventory accounting background
  • Had led a team of at least 5 people

VP of Friends & Membership

  • Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49694

American Public Media & Minnesota Public Radio | Vice President, Friends & Membership 

Overview

We are proud to partner with American Public Media & Minnesota Public Radio to identify their Vice President of Friends & Membership. MPR engages an audience of millions and is stewarded by hundreds of thousands of members and friends.

The Vice President of Friends & Membership will be a visionary and entrepreneurial leader, driving the development and implementation of the “Friends of MPR” initiative as a top priority, to build meaningful relationships, deeper affiliation and significantly expand the organization’s reach. This position provides strategic direction and leadership for the Membership team while fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve shared objectives.

Rooted in the organization’s mission and core values, the Vice President will innovate to expand the organization’s reach and execute creative strategies to grow membership, expand loyalty revenue, and amplify impact. The successful candidate will be an agile leader with a deep understanding of engaging a diverse set of community stakeholders at scale. They will possess extensive experience in managing multi-channel marketing strategies and leveraging bold experimentation to scale quickly and widely.

Our Client has one of the strongest Membership programs in the country. They serve audiences on-air, online, and in person. If you are a dynamic leader passionate about driving innovation, building meaningful relationships, advancing mission-focused initiatives, and achieving measurable results, we invite you to join our team.  This role reports to our General Counsel, an entrepreneur, and this effort will be run like a startup.

Success Characteristics

  • Visionary Innovator: Entrepreneurial leader with a track record of driving bold, creative initiatives that align with and advance the organization’s mission and values.
  • Data-Driven Strategist: Skilled in leveraging analytics to inform strategy, optimize decision-making, and measure impact.
  • Collaborative Leader: Strong leadership experience, fostering cross-functional teamwork, empowering teams, and driving results that reflect the organization’s purpose and values
  • Proactive Problem-Solver: Self-starter who challenges traditional norms and pioneers’ innovative paths to achieve goals while staying true to core values.
  • Inspiring Communicator: Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, capable of rallying internal teams and external supporters around the mission.

Key Responsibilities

“Friends” Leadership

  • Pioneer a comprehensive and innovative “Friends” strategy to attract, engage, and grow new audiences across Minnesota and nationally.
  • Develop partnerships, events, and digital campaigns to enhance visibility, nurture prospects, and funnel them into the membership pipeline.
  • Collaborate across departments to drive awareness across Minnesota and establish direct relationships with a wide swath of Minnesotans.

Membership Growth & Lifecycle Management

  • Develop and execute a membership strategy to grow membership volume, focusing on acquisition, retention, and, ultimately, increased financial support.
  • Partner with content teams, Community Engagement, Philanthropic Development, Audience Development & Marketing, Communication, and Digital Product teams to create compelling member experiences. Tailor member communications and engagement opportunities that foster long-term loyalty and satisfaction.
  • Define and monitor key performance indicators, including growth, retention, and satisfaction, and combine data-driven insights with deep community listening to refine strategies.

Strategic Leadership

  • Build multi-channel strategies that leverage the organization’s content, brand and multichannel audience development teams to attract new Friends.
  • Strengthen a culture of audience-centricity and philanthropy across the enterprise.
  • Collaborate with Major Gift officers and mid-level giving officers to advance members initiatives through the donor continuum to Leadership Giving levels.
  • Cultivate future leaders through coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback along with thoughtful professional development plans.

People Leadership

  • Translate organizational goals into actionable and measurable performance objectives, set clear execution standards, and hold leaders and teams accountable for delivering results.
  • Lead and cultivate a motivated, collaborative, and high-performing team committed to achieving ambitious shared goals.
  • Enable organizational strategy through a personal commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity, and access (EIDA) in workplace relationships and audience engagement.

Key Skills, Knowledge, and Mindsets

  • Familiar with modern tech stack including customer relationship management, data analytics, performance tracking, and digital outreach tools.
  • Use of artificial intelligence tools with a pointed vision towards expanded use across all job tasks.
  • Ability to lead teams using rapid cycle testing to take informed risks, refine strategies, and scale successful initiatives.
  • Audience-centric, entrepreneurial mindset to develop and manage compelling user journeys and campaigns to drive acquisition, conversion and retention.
  • Relentless emphasis on execution; resilient leadership that sees opportunity in every challenge.
  • Knowledge of local media organizations and content-driven membership or “Friends” programs.

Key Experience

This role requires demonstrated success or high potential in the following areas:

  • Driving fundraising and/or consumer-based revenue growth.
  • Leveraging existing owned and third-party networks to scale user acquisition.
  • Converting new audience and consumer segments, with a focus on expanding reach beyond core customers to drive growth and diversification.
  • Deploying loyalty and lifecycle marketing strategies to enhance retention, engagement, and lifetime value.
  • Achieving measurable results in digital revenue growth through strategic planning and execution.
  • Guiding multi-channel marketing strategies, including digital, email, events, and direct mail.
  • Building and managing complex plans across stakeholder groups, creating and monitoring budgets, and overseeing data-driven reporting and metrics.
  • Galvanizing populations to identify with a sense of community and shared purpose.

This role is hybrid requiring 3-4 days/week onsite in St. Paul, MN. The target annual base salary for this position is $150,000-$175,000, depending on experience and qualifications. 

VP of People and Culture

  • Location: Red Wing, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49510

Our client is at a pivotal stage of growth and is seeking a strategic, people-first, and business-savvy leader to serve as the Vice President of People and Culture. As a key member of the executive leadership team, this role is responsible for architecting and executing an integrated people strategy that aligns with business objectives, enhances organizational culture, scales talent, and strengthens employee experience across the company.
This individual will lead all facets of HR, including organizational development, talent acquisition, compensation, compliance, performance management, and employee engagement. The successful candidate will bring a proactive, data-driven approach and be passionate about developing people, building strong teams, and driving culture as a strategic asset.


Key Responsibilities:
Strategic HR & Talent Leadership

  • Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with business growth.
  • Lead organizational design, succession planning, and talent management to build future-ready teams and leadership pipelines.
  • Serve as a cultural champion, reinforcing values such as integrity, accountability, collaboration, and humility.
  • Leverage HR analytics and KPIs to inform decisions and assess effectiveness of programs and initiatives.

Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand

  • Develop and execute a long-term talent acquisition strategy that aligns with business growth objectives, workforce planning, and the company’s value proposition.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives and business leaders, translating talent needs into actionable hiring strategies.
  • Enhance the employer brand and ensure a seamless and compelling candidate experience from application through onboarding.
  • Partner with external vendors and internal stakeholders to build scalable, effective hiring processes.
  • Enhance the employer brand and ensure a seamless and compelling candidate experience from application through onboarding.
  • Partner with external vendors and internal stakeholders to build scalable, effective hiring processes.

People Operations & Compliance

  • Oversee HR operations including HRIS, payroll, benefits administration, employee relations, and legal compliance.
  • Ensure consistent application of HR policies and legal compliance across multi-state operations.
  • Stay current on labor laws, regulatory changes, and HR best practices to mitigate risk and maintain operational excellence.
  • Manage audits, investigations, and compliance training programs.

Culture, Engagement & Communication

  • Drive employee engagement initiatives that reinforce purpose, increase retention, and promote a thriving workplace culture.
  • Embed organizational values throughout the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to career development.
  • Lead internal communication efforts to support change management, transparency, and alignment.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to leadership and a visible, approachable leader for all employees.

Learning & Performance Development

  • Build a culture of performance accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Design leadership development and high-potential training programs that support business growth and succession planning.
  • Hold leaders accountable for coaching, developing talent, and fostering team performance.
  • Establish recognition and feedback programs that reinforce desired behaviors and outcomes.

Compensation & Total Rewards

  • Lead the design and execution of compensation strategies that are market-competitive and performance-driven.
  • Conduct benchmarking, salary reviews, and incentives planning to attract and retain top talent.
  • Ensure pay equity, internal fairness, and compliance with applicable wage and hour laws.

Team Leadership

  • Lead and develop a high-performing HR team, setting clear expectations and fostering growth opportunities.
  • Promote a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability across the department and company.
  • Align HR team goals with broader business strategies and ensure HR excellence in execution.

Qualifications:

  • 10+ years of progressive HR experience with at least 5 years in a senior or executive leadership role.
  • Proven experience in high-growth, entrepreneurial environments; experience in construction, energy, or manufacturing sectors strongly preferred.
  • Expertise across key HR disciplines: organizational development, HR operations, talent acquisition, L&D, compensation, and compliance.
  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, Master’s in HR) or certification (SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
  • Multi-state HR experience and familiarity with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) are desirable.
  • Demonstrated success in building high-performing, values-aligned teams and influencing at all levels of the organization.

Personal Attributes:

  • High emotional intelligence with outstanding communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
  • Strategic thinker with operational savvy and a strong bias for execution.
  • Inspirational, approachable leader with the ability to influence and foster trust across a diverse workforce.
  • Deeply committed to people development, organizational integrity, and continuous improvement.

Staff Accountant- HYBRID

  • Location: St Cloud, Minnesota
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49498

One of our favorite clients is hiring for a staff accountant out of their St. Cloud, MN office! This is a fast-growing, PE-backed, manufacturing company with a fantastic industry reputation. As a firm, we have worked with them for years- and we cannot speak highly enough of the team, mission, and culture.

They are looking for someone with at two to three years of accounting experience, a passion for process improvement, and a proactive mindset. This is a great opportunity to join a collaborative, growth-focused environment where your ideas will be valued, and where there’s real opportunity to grow your career.

 

Human Resources Manager

  • Location: Fosston
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49468

SkyWater Search Partners is partnering with a privately held food manufacturing company located in Fosston, MN to find their next HR Manager. This is a unique opportunity for a well-rounded HR professional to step into a stand-alone, broad-based generalist position. This HR Manager will serve as the go-to people leader, driving consistency, compliance, and culture across the business. This is an on-site position requiring 4 days/week in office and the ideal candidate is someone who can operate independently and serve as a compassionate, approachable partner to the entire team.

Chief Executive Officer (distribution/operations/manufacturing)

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49405

SkyWater has been retained by one of the largest independent distributors in the Midwest to identify their next Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be responsible for executing the Company’s vision and strategy, as approved by the Board, by leading the Company to long-term profitable, and sustainable growth with a strong culture to retain and attract the top industry people, partners/suppliers, and customers.

The CEO will be the key driver in the strategic development and execution of operations of the company and its subsidiaries. The CEO’s primary responsibilities will be to refine the mission and vision, set the tactical objectives aligned with the strategy as approved by the Board, communicate clearly, and achieve annual goals that are aligned with long-term objectives.  In addition, and no less important, the CEO will exhibit, support and nurture our client’s involvement in the community and industry associations. The job description includes but is not limited to:

Develop and Execute Organizational Strategy
– Provide leadership in setting vision, mission, strategic plan, and annual operating plan for all areas of the company in conjunction with the Board
– The CEO will be responsible for developing the company’s future leaders and developing a strong succession plan.
– Maintain a positive and ethical work climate, that follows a clear plan that works well together in all parts of the business that is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating a diverse group of top-quality employees at all levels.
– Manage the day-to-day business affairs and objectives of the company that lead the development of the organization’s strategic long and short-term growth, and profitability goals.
– Growth in existing markets as well as newly identified markets that can be serviced daily from the current CDCs/future CDCs, and through acquisitions.
– Ensure continuous improvement in the quality and value of the organization’s supplier relationships, products, and services.

Building the Team
– 
Ensure that the company has an effective senior and middle management team below the level of the CEO and has an active plan for its development and succession.
– Ensure, in cooperation with the Board, that over time there is an effective succession plan in place for the CEO position.
– Formulate and oversee the implementation of major corporate policies.

Values and Culture
– Provide principled leadership to uphold and advance the company’s culture, mission, vision, and values and how it interacts with customers, suppliers/partners, and the public.
– Value and foster the importance of the team environment where managers, and non-managers are valued participants treated with respect, and appreciate a strong partnership with ownership. 
– Foster a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices, encourages individual integrity & fulfill social responsibility.

Capital Allocation Decisions
– Develop and recommend to the Board a long-term strategy and vision for the company that leads to the enhancement of shareholder value.
– Develop and recommend to the Board the annual business plans and budgets that support the company’s long-term strategy and objectives with strategic long-term investments.  
– Consistently strive to achieve and balance the company’s financial and operating goals that promotes both short-term and long-term profitability and growth.

Senior Accountant – Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49183

Have you wanted to get into the M&A space, with no idea how?

Then look no further – I have your next role!

I’m excited to be partnering with one of my favorite hiring managers (I’ve known her for 10+ years) to add an M&A Senior Accountant to her team!

– Newly created role.

– Spear-heading opening balance sheet and acquisition accounting for all acquisitions (LOTS in the future!)

– Helping integrate acquired entities.

If you’re a public accountant fed up with busy season hours, this one is for you – prime opportunity for someone looking to leave public!

Give me a shout if you want to hear more – it’s going to go fast! CRabon@skywatersearch.com | 952.767.9025

Please note that relocation is not an option and we are only exploring local candidates.

Senior Accountant

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49030

Our client is a Chicago-metro based organization to help them find a Senior Accountant.

Details:
– Well-established organization with a strong mission
– Opportunities for future growth
– Leading periodic financials, budget, and coordinating with external auditors
– Reporting and working directly with strong, stable leadership
– Work/Life balance – steady, consistent daily hours

Ideal Profile:
– 3+ years of experience
– Public or Industry Accounting background, preferably with small to mid-size organizations or non-profits
– CPA/CMA or pursuing CPA/CMA a plus

Technical Sales- Fluid Power

  • Location: Eerie, Pennsylvania
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #48958

A Technical Sales Representative is responsible for profitably growing sales with an established group of customers. TSRs will establish and maintain relationships with existing customers, identify new opportunities and close those opportunities.  

Controller

  • Location: Plymouth , Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #48695

Controller with a PE Backed manufacturing company
Location: Plymouth, MN 
Salary up to 160K + bonus

SkyWater is partnering with a private equity-backed manufacturing company that is poised for significant growth, aiming to double revenue through organic expansion and acquisitions over the next 4-5 years.

They are seeking a Controller to lead financial operations, drive process improvements, and support strategic initiatives. This is a high-impact role with direct exposure to executive leadership and the private equity group..

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of accounting/finance experience, with a strong background in manufacturing, and at least 3 years of leadership experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-growth company and play a key role in its expansion.

 

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